Taoyuan, Taiwan April 7 (CNA) A Taiwanese couple are embarking on a cycling trip that would take them to four continents in 30 months to promote the centenary of the Republic of China (Taiwan), as well as environmental awareness and Taiwanese products.
Lin Hsiau-kai, 37, and his girlfriend Yen Yi-hui, 27, began their 55,000-kilometer trip on Wednesday by flying from Taoyuan International Airport to Bangkok, Thailand, where the cycling will begin.
"Ever since I was a high school freshman in 1986, I've dreamt about taking this trip and it has finally come true. But the road is long and there's a big challenge ahead, " Lin told the CNA at the airport.
Lin and Yen plan to travel the world on bicycles from April 2010 to October 2012. During the 30 months, they will cycle across Southeast Asia, Oceania, Central Asia and Europe before flying across the Atlantic Ocean to the United States and then Japan, the final stop.
Lin, who worked at the technical department of the renowned Taiwanese dance troupe Cloud Gate together with Yen before the two quit their jobs, said this has been a dream of his since he read about the story of Hu Jung-hua, the first Taiwanese to cycle around the world in the 1980s, and was greatly inspired.
Interestingly, he said, a coincidence made the trip happen.
"My landlord told us a couple of months ago that we had to move out because he had decided to sell his apartment. I thought about taking a break from work before coming up with the idea to turn the break into a cycling tour around the world, " Lin said.
He thought the year 2010 would be a good time to make the trip because preparations are beginning this year to celebrate the ROC's centenary next year and cycling is a good way to promote awareness of climate change and alternative energy.
Yen joined without hesitation although she had no previous cycling experience. Lin has been a long-time cyclist and cycled across Australia in 1996. Yen said all she wanted was to go out and see the world and cycling is one of the options of transportation.
Yen and Lin said they would like to dedicate the trip to the Republic of China (Taiwan) , which was established in 1911, as a birthday present to the country.
"I guess we'll be somewhere in Australia on January 1, 2011 to celebrate the first day of the centenary. And maybe we can get married on October 10, ROC's National Day somewhere in Europe, " she joked.
Lin drew up the travel itinerary after consulting with a senior cyclist, who advised them which countries to avoid and which countries would be good places to cycle in.
Lin half-jokingly said Wednesday that he was still struggling with whether to make the trip, but also noted that the most important factor of the long trip is not stamina, but determination.
The pair will cycle between 60 to 120 kilometers on average each day, Lin said.
With a budget of around NT$2 million (approximately US$63,400) , Lin said, the trip would not be possible without the sponsorship of several local bicycle companies, which provided them with bicycles priced at NT$200,000 each, and the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which asked Taiwan's foreign offices to provide help.
Cloud Gate founder Lin Hwai-min also encouraged the couple to make the trip with a donation of NT$100,000.
"Mr. Lin jokingly told me that I would have to pay him the money back if I drop out of the trip, " Lin said.
A certified historical sites guide in Taiwan, Lin said he believes that he will be able to share Taiwan's stories with foreigners and "show Taiwan to the world" during his trip.
"And about 90 percent of our equipment are Taiwan-made. We would like to tell people these products are very well-made in Taiwan, " he said.
Cycling is an ideal way of travel, which is faster than walking and slower than driving cars, Lin said, adding that it also makes connecting and communicating with local people possible.
Looking ahead to the trip, Yen said that the place she would like to visit the most is Lijiang in the southern China's Yunnan province, because of the difficulty of the route, which is 2,800-3,000 meters above sea level.
However, Lin acknowledged that it is very much possible that the trip will turn out differently than it was originally planned due to weather conditions, accidents and the situations in different countries.
"We might have to change our plan along the way, " he said.
But no matter how the world tour turns out, the couple said they plan to document their dream trip every step of the way by taking photographs and shooting videos. They also plan to regularly update their blogs and Facebook fan pages to keep in touch with friends.
Lin and Yen are scheduled to kick start the 2,100-kilometer first leg of the two-and-a-half-year trip from Thailand to Malaysia and Singapore from April 7-28.
After that, they will travel to Australia and New Zealand as well as make stops in China, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Belarus before entering eastern and central Europe in the second half of 2011. (By Chris Wang) enditem/cs